Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

Towriss travels with Huskies

3 time Vanier Cup Champion, Brian Towriss, is along for the ride

Nov 26, 2021 | 6:48 AM

He’s here to do whatever he can.

The only head coach to lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a Vanier Cup title (three of them to be exact) is travelling with the team for this 2021 championship run. Canadian Football Hall of Famer, Brian Towriss, was even heard asking coaches “What do you take in your coffee tomorrow morning?” No job is too small it seems.

“I was very appreciative of (Shannon Chinn, University of Saskatchewan Chief Athletics Officer) to offer me the opportunity to come down to the game, and kind of live this weekend with the program,” Towriss said.

The Huskies visit the Montreal Carabins in the Uteck Bowl on Saturday at 2 p.m. on the HuskieFAN app, and HuskieFAN.ca.

It’s a two way street. Towriss can be a good resource for the 2021 edition of the Huskies. All one has to do is look at his resume. From 1984 to 2016, Towriss led the University of Saskatchewan football team to 11 Hardy Cup titles, 9 Vanier Cup appearances, and 3 national championships. (1990, 1996, 1998)

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“Just about everyone on this staff was either on our staff or played for me” Towriss said.

He coached over 40 players that went on CFL careers, including current Huskies’ receivers’ coach Duane Dmytryshyn, defensive coordinator Warren Muzika and head coach Scott Flory.

“Scott and I have always been pretty close,” said Towriss.

Flory played for the Huskies in the late 1990’s and was part of the 1996 and 1998 Vanier Cup winning teams.

Towriss was also named the Canadian university coach of the year in 1994 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Montreal Carabins offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo was also inducted that same year. This will be the first time in the history of these programs that the Montreal Carabins and Saskatchewan Huskies will meet in a playoff game.

When asked to grade the 2021 edition of the Huskies, Towriss put it this way: “They’re solid in all aspects. Mason (Nyhus) has done a great job at quarterback. He’s confident out there. They have a big offensive line. Both tackles have CFL interests. Defensively they are a little young in the back end, but very strong up front. Pressure can make up for misgivings in the back end.”

Towriss, who stepped down as head coach prior to the 2017 season, has stayed away from Huskies games for the last couple of seasons to let the new leadership take hold. But he has now returned and is again present around a Canada West football powerhouse that he helped build.

“I’ve invested a lot in this program. It’s great to feel welcome.”

This Canadian college football legend would also like to see this team relive past glory.

“I really feel this team has a great chance to win it.”

Saturday’s Uteck Bowl between the Montreal Carabins and the U of S Huskies can be heard at 2:00 on the HuskieFAN app and HuskieFAN.ca. Analyst Duane John will join Wray Morrison for the broadcast. Duane is a former member of the Laval Rouge et Or, and is currently the Sports Coordinator at Montmorency College in Laval Quebec.

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